Slovakia 1-2 Ukraine: Serhiy Rebrov's side come from behind with goals from Mykola Shaparenko and Roman Yaremchuk to throw Group E at Euro 2024 wide open

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When the final whistle blew here on the banks of the River Rhine, Roman Yaremchuk dropped to the floor and was instantly mobbed by his Ukrainian teammates.

As they brought him up to his feet, the emotions were visible and by the time he and his compatriots headed towards the sea of yellow and blue of the Ukrainian supporters, the tears began to flow. There was emotion, jubilation and perhaps above all, a feeling of being alive.

For it was a moment of footballing brilliance from Yaremchuk that kept Ukraine alive and blew Group E wide open, with the 6ft 3in striker taking the deftest of touches to kill the ball before expertly finishing past Slovakia's Martin Dubravka to send the Ukrainian fans into bedlam.

In the weeks after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, Yaremchuk lost 6kg while playing for Benfica in Lisbon, admitting he couldn't sleep thinking about his family back in Chernihiv. The city in northern Ukraine was under siege by Russian Armed Forces.

Such was the desperation and struggle that he turned to Andriy Yarmolenko, his national team captain, to help rescue his wife's parents.

Ukraine came from behind to earn a crucial victory over Slovakia in Group E at Euro 2024

Some players were in tears at full time including Roman Yaremchuk who netted the winner

It was a special moment for Ukraine and their fans given the war in their country with Russia

Ukraine lost their opening game 3-0 and went behind again thanks to Slovakia's Ivan Schranz

A period of depression followed shortly after and no doubt, the memories of that journey would have all come to mind when Michael Oliver called time here after Ukraine came from behind to secure a priceless three points.

'There was a different spirit (from the game against Romania), said Ukraine boss Serhii Rebrov, 'Our players showed the spirit of Ukraine - it was a very important win for our country,' he added.

Ukraine were up against it, after their 3-0 defeat to Romania on Monday and against a Slovakian side, buoyed by their shock win over Belgium.

At half-time, Franceso Calzona's side were a goal up through Ivan Schranz - who scored their winner against Belgium - but Ukraine grew as the game progressed, deservedly equalising through Mykola Shaparenko shortly after the break.

Slovakia could have sealed qualification to the knockout phase with a victory over Ukraine

And it was Shaparenko who played the lofted ball through to Yaremchuk, who scored wonderfully ten minutes from time.

'When we equalised, it gave us more self-belief and the inspiration to go and get the win,' said Shaparenko.

It is a win that means it is still all to play for in Group E. If Belgium beat Romania on Saturday/tonight then all four teams will be on three points going into Wednesday, where Ukraine face Belgium and Slovakia take on Romania.

'We are the Cinderella story of the group stage,' said Calzona. 'We will do everything in our power to beat Romania,' the Slovakia boss added.